Intuit Offers GoPayment Card, Facebook Store for Small Businesses

As
part of its GoPayment mobile payment offering, Intuit announced the launch of
the GoPayment Prepaid Visa Card. The card expands Intuit's strategy beyond
processing credit cards on a mobile device to offering the convenience of a
Visa prepaid account linked to GoPayment. The company also recently launched
SimpleStore for Facebook, allowing any current SimpleStore user to establish a
storefront as part of his or her business page. The free tool automatically
syncs the merchant's Website and Facebook page.
Small
business owners can accept credit or debit card payments directly on Facebook,
all through Intuit, with no added log-ins required for the customer. Because
Intuit Web Payment is already tied to a user's merchant account, small
businesses receive payment directly from Intuit, whether a sale is made on
their Website or Facebook page.

"Using
SimpleStore for Facebook has opened me up to an entirely new client base, and
my sales have increased about 40 percent," said Erica Hunter owner of Arin
Madison, an online store selling fine children's accessories. "I also have
more repeat sales, since customers are checking back daily for new products and
have the luxury to do so while logged in to their Facebook accounts."

The
GoPayment Card makes it possible for users to have the funds they collect with
GoPayment deposited into their GoPayment Card account. They can then use the
card to make payments online and in stores and withdraw cash at ATMs everywhere
Visa debit cards are accepted, though the company noted some fees may apply.
The
card is aimed at smaller businesses or individuals who don't have a business
bank account and still want to separate the money they make with GoPayment from
their personal finances. It can also help them get up and running quickly as there
is no bank account required to sign up. Those who prefer using a business or
personal bank account can still choose to have their funds deposited into their
bank account.
The
GoPayment Card has no signup or monthly maintenance fees and offers one free ATM
cash withdrawal each month as well as one free transfer of funds from the card
to a bank account via ACH each month. The GoPayment Card is available to
GoPayment users by signing up via the company's Website or via the GoPayment
app. The physical card will arrive in the mail generally within seven to 10
business days. In the meantime, users can start accepting GoPayment credit card
transactions, and the funds will be deposited into their GoPayment Card account
generally within two to three business days.

"The
GoPayment Card adds new value to those using GoPayment. In addition to helping
them get paid, we're helping them make payments," said Chris Hylen, vice
president and general manager of Intuit's payment solutions division.
"This is just the beginning. Intuit will roll out new, innovative features
for GoPayment that help users make payments in a variety of ways."
The
GoPayment Card is a good option for many types of small and personal
businesses, said Nathan Lipson, who owns Metrocycle Pedicabs in Austin, Texas.
"Most of my riders don't have a business bank account and primarily use
cash," said Lipson. "Having a prepaid card makes it much easier for
them to sign up and use a service like GoPayment and gives them another option
to make payments."

Nathan Eddy is Associate Editor, Midmarket, at eWEEK.com. Before joining eWEEK.com, Nate was a writer with ChannelWeb and he served as an editor at FierceMarkets. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.